The first swig of a two-part heady brew of midweek transfer rumours…
Everton and Portsmouth are both after Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell after the ginger maestro turned down a loan move to Sunderland. (The Sun)
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is close to bagging Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra, luring him in with promises of first team football. (The Guardian)
Man City’s now svelte former fatboy, defender Richard Dunne could be heading for the Eastlands exit door with a new contract remaining unsigned. (Daily Mirror)
…But Sven’s Manchester City will seal a deal for Bayern Munich’s German striker Lukas Podolski. (Various)
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish will finally bag Scot-God James McFadden from Everton after finally prising open Birmingham’s transfer wallet and offering £5m with an additional £500,000 slapped on top of that if Faddy jumps through the required hoops. (The Guardian)
…Then again that McFadden bid could be a stingier £4m. (Daily Mirror)
Arsenal’s combative midfielder and Fabregas-bodyguard Mathieu Flamini continues to stall over signing a new contract, and is awaiting an offer so good that it glows in the dark. (The Sun)
Middlesbrough will be able to sign Afonso Alves after the mess of work permit red tape was finally sorted out. (Various)
…And ‘Boro boss Gareth Southgate is a late comer to the marathon race for Pompey midfielder Matt Taylor. (Daily Mail)
Blackburn’s Jason Roberts is being tracked by Bolton boss Gary Megson who has £15m burning a hole in his pocket, and a Nic Anelka sized gap in his strikeforce. Not that Roberts will cost £15m or be a decent replacement for Anelka. (Daily Mirror)